Genomic Testing – The Key to Knowing Your Cancer
Unlike a genetic test which assesses your hereditary risk for cancer, a genomic test analyzes a sample of the cancer tissue to provide critical information on how your tumor might behave. By providing vital information such as how aggressive your cancer is, genomic testing can help you and your doctor select an appropriate treatment option. Your cancer is unique and personal. Your treatment should be too.
So, What is Genomic Testing Exactly?
Genomics is the study of the activity and interaction of particular genes in the body, including their role in specific diseases. Once you have cancer, the activity and interaction of certain genes in your tumor tissue influences the behavior of your tumor, including how likely it is to grow and spread. Genomic tests like the Oncotype DX test for breast cancer test can help predict the aggressiveness of your tumor and whether you will benefit from chemotherapy. With this type of personalized information, you and your doctor can decide what kind of treatment you might need following surgery.How Does the Oncotype DX test* for breast cancer work?
It may sound complicated, but it’s not.
There are three easy steps:
1. The tissue from your cancer that has already been biopsied or removed is sent to our lab for analysis. No additional procedures are required. The test is used to create a profile of your unique cancer.
2. Test results are sent to your doctor in the form of a report.
3. You and your doctor review the results together to determine your personalized treatment options.
* Oncotype DX Breast DCIS Score test, Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test
The more you know about your own cancer, the more precise your treatment options can be.
What are the benefits of the test?
There are many benefits to having a genomic test. It can:
- Help predict the aggressiveness of your tumor and guide treatment plans
- Tell whether you will benefit from chemotherapy
- Indicate if radiation may be an effective treatment option
- In certain cases, it can predict how likely your cancer is to recur
Genomic testing provides insight into your cancer so you and your doctor can discuss a personalized treatment plan. This is precision medicine working for you.
